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June 2019 DWORSHAK AND SEASE NAMED DSU’S 2019 OUTSTANDING GRADUATES Allisha Dworshak and Thomas Sease were named Dickinson State University’s (DSU) 2019 Outstanding Graduates at the Outstanding Graduate awards ceremony held Friday, May 10, in the Student Center Ballroom. The Outstanding Graduate Award is the highest honor bestowed on two graduating seniors by the University. Dworshak and Sease were nominated, along with 18 other students, by faculty in their academic departments for exceptional performance in their fields of study. Allisha Dworshak, daughter of Timothy and Lisa Dworshak, is graduating from Dickinson State University with a double major in accounting and business and a minor in leadership. Raised in the country outside of Dickinson, North Dakota, Dworshak is a wonderful example of a student who has successfully used her drive and determination to achieve her goals. Thomas Sease, son of Ted and Shelly Sease of Bismarck, North Dakota, is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a minor in exercise science. Sease is a first-generation college student who made a promise to himself during convocation his freshman year of college that his experience was going to be full of limitless opportunities.
An interview with the 2019 Outstanding Graduate Award winners: Congratulations on receiving the 2019 Outstanding Graduate Awards! What does this recognition mean to you? Dworshak: I am honored to have received one of the 2019 Outstanding Graduate Awards. This recognition means to me that I made a positive impact on those around me during my time at Dickinson State University. It indicates that all of my hard work did not go unnoticed. I consider this recognition especially special as all of the nominees this year were, without a doubt, amazing candidates and deserving of this award. Sease: This award truly means everything to me. I am extremely humbled and honored that the committee would even consider me for this prestigious award. That being said, I would like to congratulate all nominees and graduates knowing there were many others who were just as deserving of this award. Why did you choose to attend Dickinson State University? Dworshak: The three main factors that led to my decision to attend Dickinson State University were as follows: tuition cost, degrees offered, and the rodeo program. Sease: I decided to come to DSU because it was one of the only schools that was going to allow me to participate in football and track. At the time, I took pride in being a well-rounded athlete and person. Furthermore, both of these programs emphasized the importance of academics as a student athlete. This included teaching the skills necessary to be successful as an athlete, a student, and as a member of this close knit community. Is there a certain professor who had an impact on you while you studied at DSU? Dworshak: Amy Kass, assistant professor of accounting, unquestionably is the professor who had the greatest impact on me while I studied at DSU. Professor Kass was not only my academic advisor but also my Phi Beta Lambda advisor. I had the pleasure of getting to know Professor Kass on a personal level and love her passion, energy and drive. She has a kind soul, a fun personality, and is always willing to offer a helping hand. Sease: The professor that I looked up to the most at Dickinson State was my mentor Dr. Wendy Wilson. Dr. Wilson consistently went above and beyond for all of her students demonstrating commitment, passion, and enthusiasm in the classroom. At one point, Dr. Wilson was the only faculty member in the Psychology department and willingly taught on an overloaded schedule for more than two years. Having a mentor like her has inspired me as a student to want to teach at the college level in hope of influencing students’ lives in the same way she did for me. What is your favorite memory from your time here? Dworshak: It would be extremely difficult to pinpoint one exact favorite memory from DSU. I have made numerous great memories at DSU. Some of my favorite memories include national trips for organizations such as Phi Beta Lambda, Farm Bureau, and Student Senate, the many memories made during college rodeo weekends, and the simple memories of just rolling in laughter with fellow classmates and professors who I now consider my best friends. Sease: In retrospect, my most fond memories at DSU came from the extracurricular activities I was able to be a part of. Within these organizations, I was able to meet people who I will always consider as life-long friends. These individuals gave me a feeling of connectedness and held me accountable for my actions. These individuals also acted as my support system throughout my days at DSU. Do you have any advice for incoming freshman? Dworshak: My advice to incoming freshman is to get involved. Take advantage of everything that is offered to you as a student. Join clubs and organizations, attend events, and get to know the people around you. Sease: My advice to incoming freshman would be to get involved. Whether that
be through sports, clubs, research, or any other extracurricular activity. It is these activities that will help you develop lifelong skills that go far beyond the classroom. Additionally, take advantage of every opportunity available. Not all people get the chance to attend college so cherish every day of it. You truly can do anything you set your mind to. How have you grown as a person during your time at Dickinson State? Dworshak: I have grown as a person during my time at DSU by learning the importance of having a lifelong commitment to serving others and the fact that you can always push past your limits. Sease: Coming into DSU as a freshman I would describe myself as the stereotypical jock. I did not care about school or even how I presented myself as a person. My primary concern was being eligible to participate in football and track. Now, however, I have found meaning outside of sports and value the importance of putting others needs before my own. During my time at Dickinson State, I was able to develop skills such as work-ethic, resilience, compassion and professionalism. All characteristics needed to be a contributing member of society. What are you most proud of when you look back at your time at DSU? Dworshak: I am most proud of the impact I made on the DSU Phi Beta Lambda Chapter and the success I achieved as an individual, as well as the success our chapter achieved on a state and national level. Sease: I am most proud of how I was able to develop myself as a person throughout my time at DSU. As I stated earlier, I was nothing more than a naïve 18 year old child walking through these doors the first time. Five years later, I am walking out these doors as a completely different person. It was with the help of my teachers, coaches, and friends that I was able to redefine myself for the better. What helped you the most in accomplishing your goals at DSU? Dworshak: Time management paired with drive to get things done to the best of my ability are what helped me accomplish my goals at DSU. Sease: The people within the walls of Dickinson State are what helped me most. Dickinson is a very special space. There appears to be an unmatched level of connectedness between its students, faculty and alumni. The community also does a great job of getting behind those who attend DSU. As a student, to see so many people come together for the love of a small town college is nothing short of remarkable. This support makes students really feel at home and enables them to do their best. What was the most difficult thing for you as a college student, and how did you overcome it? Dworshak: The most difficult thing to overcome as a college student is trying to find a balance between school, work, and still have a social life. I attempted to overcome this challenge by making sure I was focused when completing coursework, not working an excessive number of hours to ensure I would be able to maintain my GPA to retain scholarships and making time to go out and have fun with friends. Sease: The most difficult thing I had to overcome in college was failure. I think this is probably something that all college students struggle with initially. It is a horrible feeling. However, I began to grow as a person once I realized that failing is just a part of the process. It took me almost five years to realize that it is not our failures that define who we are but instead how we respond to these failures. It is about having the courage to push oneself far enough to fail that really speaks volumes about one’s true character. What did you enjoy most about being a Blue Hawk? Dworshak: The thing I enjoyed most about being a Blue Hawk was the feeling of putting on that blue and grey vest and representing my school while doing something that I loved. I enjoyed the people I got to meet and the friends that turned into family. Sease: What I enjoyed most about being a Blue Hawk was the continuous pursuit of excellence. Whether that be on the field, in the classroom, or in the lab. Although difficult to describe, people from Dickinson State just do things a little bit differently. This was one of the first things I noticed coming into college as a wide eyed freshman. They take the upmost pride in their work, always strive to do their best, and do not make excuses when things do not go their way. Therefore, I am extremely proud to be associated with such a respected group of individuals. What are your plans after graduation? Dworshak: After graduation I plan on attending Law School. I have applied and been accepted to Iowa City, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the University of North Dakota. I have decided to attend UND-School of Law. Upon graduating from law school, I plan on practicing law full time. Over time, I aspire to become a partner in the firm. After I have been a partner for many years, I plan on running for governor. After serving a term as governor, I plan on applying for a judgeship. Upon completion, I plan to become a respected judge. Sease: After graduation I will be immediately continuing my research related to substance abuse. It is my hope to develop a single construct that is able to predict treatment efficacy for those struggling with addiction. In the fall, I will be attending the University of Louisiana while taking classes from the Psychology and Biology department. This will allow me to take an interdisciplinary approach as a future clinician. What will you take from DSU as you move on into the future? Dworshak: The most important thing I will take with me as I move into the next chapter of my life is the valuable connections I have made at DSU. I will also take with me the work ethic and study habits I learned during my time at DSU. Sease: Things I will take with me from DSU include the skills required to be successful in the next level of my education. Dickinson State in general does a great job of preparing students for life after college whether that be continuing their education or entering the work force. To be at an undergraduate institution with so many administrators, faculty, and staff dedicated to higher education is truly a blessing and something I will never take for granted. I want to thank all of those who helped me over the past five years, I will never forget what you did for me.